The Spring 2024 UC Merced Climate Action Innovation and Entrepreneurship Proof of Concept Funds solicitation opened in February 2024. Ten proposals were received, requesting ~$500,000. These were of high quality and underwent two rounds of comprehensive review. ORED awarded five projects (listed below) for a total of $249,765. These projects are synergistic with the State of California’s climate action priorities outlined in the California Climate Adaptation Strategy.
| Application | PI | Requested |
| Pilot Data Collection and Prototype Development for Technology Transfer | Jennifer Lu (SOE) | $50,000 |
| Process for Evaluating Electric Vehicle Lubricants to Minimize the Adverse Environmental Impacts of Transportation | Ashlie Martini (SOE) | $50,000 |
| Building Climate Resilience through Heavy Metal Remediation | Michael Findlater (SNS) | $50,000 |
| Building Climate Resilience through Heavy Metal Remediation | Ricardo Pinto de Castro (SOE) | $49,765 |
| Process for Safe Monitoring and Control of Batteries in Clean Energy Applications | YangQuan Chen (SOE) | $50,000 |
